Canton of Bern favours solar energy along its roads
Im Herbst 2023 stellte der Kanton Bern seine Initiative vor, Photovoltaikanlagen auf der Infrastruktur entlang kantonaler Strassen zu installieren. Ziel war es die Nutzung sauberer Energie zu maximieren und 90 Standorte für Solarprojekte zu erfassen sowie in fünf regionale Gruppen zu gliedern.
Two consortia from the cantons of Zurich and Basel were selected from among the applicants, which impressed with their expertise and innovative approaches. The awarding of the projects to the consortium of Elektrizitätswerke des Kantons Zürich (EKZ), Helion AG and mha gmbh as well as the consortium of Industrielle Werke Basel (IWB) and TNC Consulting AG (TNC) marks a decisive step towards promoting renewable energies in the region.
In particular, the initiative of the EKZ-Helion-mha consortium to erect large-scale solar carports at cantonal motorway service stations represents a double innovation.
In addition to producing clean energy, these carports help to reduce the use of air conditioning by providing shade. With a planned capacity of almost 8.5 megawatts, they are aiming to realise ten photovoltaic systems and are also exploring the possibility of installing solar panels on noise barriers, retaining walls and a bridge.
The IWB-TNC consortium is focussing on the installation of almost 1.8 megawatts of photovoltaic systems in the Bernese Oberland region, distributed across various structures such as retaining walls and bridges. The feasibility of these projects is ensured by comprehensive studies.
The first planning steps for these pioneering solar installations will begin in April 2024, underlining the canton’s commitment to the national Energy Strategy 2050 and to achieving the net-zero target by 2040. This selection process emphasises the Canton of Bern’s desire to take a leading role in the implementation of energy solutions and at the same time promotes the participation of local stakeholders in the energy transition.